The Company You Keep

The supporting characters are quite insubstantial -- little more than cameo roles, cheapening the credentials of this cast somewhat, while resulting in a lack of emotional investment in the tale or the characters. The feature feels contrived, too.

The story is further bogged down by using Ben as a narrative device, since everything has to switch gears to incorporate him and it doesn't feel as though the filmmakers are especially interested in his character's dilemmas.

But as Redford's serious film reminds us, there's no point to saving the world and losing your soul -- or abandoning the souls of those for whom you're responsible.

The Company that Redford and his celebrated cronies keep is refreshing...fine wine can age better with time. But as far as stimulating political pot-boilers are concerned it is time for these rocking chair radicals to surrender altogether.

Redford wimps out.